Burbarah
(St.Barbara's Day)

According to tradition,Burbara (Barbara in English)was the daughter of the pagan Dioscurus.On discovering that she became a Christian,her father tried to kill her,but she was miraculously transported out of his reach.Dioscurus denounced her to the authorities.Despite being tortured,she refused to denounce her faith.Her father killed her and was immediately struck by lightning and reduced to ashes.As a result of her father's fate,St.Barbara's prayers are especially sought as protection against thunderstorms and fire,and by an extension of this idea she became the patron saint of gunners,miners and firefighters.Palestinians

Christians mark the occasion with a Burbara pudding made from shelled wheat.The Orthodox churches celebrated on 17 December St.Barbara's Day.The Protestant and Catholic churches celebrated it on 4 December.Some people believe this is in remembrance of a time she was locked up in a storeroom and only had these ingredients available to eat.Usually Muslim friends and neighbors of Christian families receive from them a Burbara bowl.This year the Day coincides with the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan where Muslim families also invite neighbors and friends for Qatayef sweets (see December issue for recipe). This is a great aromatic and filling dish for winter.

Ingredients (20 servings)

• 500g crushed peeled (-shelled)wheat
• 500g raisins
• 500g dried apricots
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons fennel
• 2 teaspoons anise
• 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon of cloves
• Crushed walnuts
• Almonds (peeled,halved,soaked in hot water)
• 20 tablespoons sugar (optional according to taste)
• Pomegranate seeds